The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-02-17

| recommend that the revenue laws
be so amended as to insure, if possi-
ble, an equal, fair, and just valuation
of all taxable property in the State,
without the escape OF any, and
prompt and faithful collection and
remittance of all taxes levied. Could
this be successfully accomplished, our
revenues might be largely increased
if necessary, the rate of taxation re-
duced, and the burdens as they now
rest upon the people happily diminish
ed. The difficulties surrounding this
question constitute an old problem-a
problem never yet satisfactorily solv-
ed but this is no reason why you
should not solve it, or at least make
an effort to improve our system of
taxation.
EDUCATION.
Of all the interests of the State, that
which relates to the education of her
people is the most important. There
is no interests which involves so much,
no question so pertinent to a peoples
destiny, OF that affects so powerfully
the character of government under
which they exist. OF all the enemies
to a republican form of government,
popular ignoranceis the most danger
Gus of all its most reliable safeguards,
popular intelligence is the best.
In this advanced age of intellectual
supremacy, when mind is the test of
manhood, we can no longer afford to
remain passive or Indifferent in re-
gard to this question. 1t involves
problems which will force a solution
in the near future, 1t imposes upon
us duty more imperative than all
others--that of deyising more ade-
quate ways and means for the educa-
ton OF the childlen of Tennessee,
By thorough reformation OF our
revenue system we may 50 improve
our finances as to be able to better
provide for the support Of our public
schools but complete and sufficient
provision can hardly be made until
our taxable wealth shall have been
greatly increased by a more extensive
development of our resources. But
until this shall take place, where shall
we look for a complement to the pro.
visions we are able to make? For the
children of the present who cannot
wait, how shall we supply the great
deficit in Our school fund? The mass
es Of our people are anxiously turning
their eyes to the General Government
for aid.
My senses Of duty to the children Of
the State compels me to say that il
there is surplus Of mooey in the
National Treasury not applicable to
the payment Of the national debt
the appropriation Of the same for this
purpose, stripped Of the conditions Of
Federal supervision, would be an in
estimable blessing to them.
invite your attention to the re
port oithe State Superintendent, Hon
Thomas H. Paine, which gives a very
clear statement of what has been done
by the State for the cause Of popular
education during the past year and
ask that the suggestions made by hin
for the improvement of our Public
School System snail receive your care
full consideration. This system is NJ
longer an experiment, but, on the con
trary, is fairly established. 1t Is, how
ever, inadequate to the full accom-
plshment Of its purposes by reason o
its great want OF sufficient financia
support | would, therefore, urge yol
to fix for the support of our publ
schools the most liberal rate Of taxa
ton consistent with the other inter
ests Of the State.
THE STATE NORMAL COLLEGE,
Situated in the city of Nashville, an,
devoted to the training of young mel
and women for the profession of teach
ing, is the best of its kind in the South
1t should be fostered and sustained b
} the State, because the efficiency 9TH
public schools depends upon tn
training and qualifications of tn
teachers.
| recommend that the sum of tie
thousand dollars ($1O000), the annul
J appropriation which has for som
years been given to this institution, /
: made for its support; also that tn
amount Of three thousand three hun
, dred dollars ($8,300}, the annual a.
preparation which has been made +;
u the the normal training Of colore
teachers, be continued.
NORMAL INSTITUTES.
e 1t has been the custom Of the Sta
y Superintcndents of Tennessee to ho
y Summer Normal Institutes at varior
points in the State (and without e
st pense to the state), the money